Method of determining drift of aircraft



New 4, 1930. c. A. SNOW. JR 1,730,359

METHOD OF DETERMINING DRIFT OF AiRGRAFT v Filed Feb. 16, 1929 ATEWZ; a %e Patented Nov. 4, 193a UNITED STATES PATENT orrlca or: man SNOW, IR-, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT GOLUIBIA jHETHODPF DETERMINING DRIFT 0F AIRCRAFT Application filed February 16, 1929. Seriallio. 840,685.

climatic conditions, it has not been practical where the aircraft is travelling at a high altitude andover cloud formations or where the visibility is oor from any cause.

It is an o ject of the present invention to provide a method of determining side drift which can beused efiiciently under all conditions and with this and other obJects in view,

' the'invention consists of certain novel steps of the method hereinafter more full de-. scribed and ointed out in the claims, it eing understood t at various changes may be made within the scope of the claims without depart- 28 from the spirit of the invention.

1 I the accompanying drawing the apparatus used in carrying out the method has been illustrated in a general way.

In said drawing, Figure 1 is a diagram showing an airplane in flight, different positions thereof, during and after the determination of side drift, being indicated. I

igure 2 is a view of a ortion of anairplane showing one form of irection finder.

Figure 3 is a view of one type of wave gencrating element used in carrying out the metho I Figure 4 is a view of another type of wave generating element. In carrying out the method two essential units are employed, namely, a wave direction finder utilizing a loop 1, this finder being part generating unit which can be of the-bomb type as illustrated in Figure 3 or of the parachute type as indicated in Figure 4. In each type there is included in a housing all necessary of the equipment of the aircraft 2, and a wave:

equipment for producing a signal and if the unit is of the bomb type the housing 3 is so constructed that, when it is dropped from an aircraft, it will strike the surface of a body of water without shattering the wave generating equipment. This type can also be made to float on the surface of the body of water. If

a parachute type of unit is employed the housing 4 thereof will properly protect the sip aratus contained therein so that it willnot become injuredwhen contact is made with theground.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawing an airplane has been indicated at A on a true north heading at the start of a flight to a destination true north. In the presentinstance the airplane is equipped with the radio direction finder herein described and with one or more broadcasting units of either or both of the types illustrated.

For the purpose of illustration it can be assumed that the speed of the aircraft is one hundred fifty miles per hour and that there is a direct west cross wind of thirty miles er hour. This will produce a decided drift.

env the navi ator reaches, for example, the

point B and t en desires to determine the drift, angle, one of the broadcasting units is released after the broadcasting apparatus has be n to function. Thereafter the navigator, y the use of the radio direction finder 1 can determine readily the drift angle B AN and, as shown as C, can correct the airplane heading so as to compensate for the drift and fl the course C D true north to the desired estination. No claim is made for the particular construction of either the direction finder or the wave producing units. It is merely essential that t ese wave producing units be contained in strong, shock-resisting, waterproof shells or housings and that'they be short lived and Y of high intensity, operating continuously and i automaticall It is not intended to restrict the method to the use of any particular type of wave pro- 1. The method of determining the a angle of an aircraft which includes the steps of delivering a radio broadcasting unit from the aircraft while in flight and thereafter picking up signals from said unit through a radio direction finder.

2. The method of determining the drift angle of an aircraft which includes the steps of casting off from the aircraft While in flight a continuously operating automatic radio signal broadcasting unit, and subsequently picking up the signal With a radio direction finder.

3. The method of determining the drift angle of an aircraft which includes the steps of delivering'a wave broadcasting unit from the aircraft While in flight and thereafter picking up signals from said unit through a direction finder.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aflixed my signature.

- CHESTER AMMEN snow, JR. 

